Symphonies Nos 1 & 4

"Ernst Toch's string quartets reveal an original voice and a distinct musical personality; his symphonies do likewise. Symphony No. 1 is a fascinating and stimulating work that begins in an atmosphere of Bartokian impressionism and then transitions to a quirky fugue strongly resembling Shostakovich in its mocking character and sharply colored orchestration. The second movement is an extended scherzo that hints at the last works of Carl Nielsen, while the searching, unsettled slow movement reveals an inward intensity familiar from Toch's string quartets. After a sequence of brilliant elaborations on a catchy theme, the finale ends on a note of triumph as the music builds to a great Hindemithian climax with brass fanfares over swelling strings and woodwinds.

Toch composed the Fourth Symphony for Marian MacDowell, whose Peterborough, New Hampshire artists' colony provided refuge and comfort during his sometimes difficult years in the United States. The composer's self-penned poetic dedications to MacDowell were intended to be read between the three movements, as they are here with somber poise by conductor Alun Francis. While somewhat touching, the poems do little more than hold up the progress of the music, which is far more interesting. Here Toch's late chamber and orchestral styles converge, with all three movements displaying a harmonic freedom and orchestral variety that once again suggests Nielsen (in this case that composer's Sixth Symphony). After a brief, playful scherzo, the profound and moving Molto grave finale (written upon news of MacDowell's death) sounds a more meaningful tribute. Francis' affection for and dedication to Toch's music is clearly evident in his stirring performances with the Berlin Radio Symphony, which plays with power and precision. CPO's spacious recording reproduces the music with impressive impact."
(ClassicsToday 9/10)